The use of snares, often employed to capture wildlife, is viewed as an unethical practice that maims and kills wildlife. The practice of snaring came under the spotlight at an inaugural national snare mitigation symposium in Pretoria from the 10th to 11th of September.
The collaborative effort involved the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), the Cape Leopard Trust (CLT), Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT), SA National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) and South African National Parks (SANParks). Wildlife crime experts, government officials and conservation sector representatives met at Environment House in Arcadia, Pretoria.
Snaring, according to a SANParks statement, is motivated by “complex socio-economic and cultural drivers” with the symposium exploring snaring from a “myriad of angles and viewpoints”. Information gleaned at the symposium highlighted that animals are largely snared for personal or commercial use, and it is occurring “at unsustainable rates across all provinces and in diverse landscapes”. Species such as leopard, lion, hyena and other predators are killed as by-catch in snares originally set for bushmeat.
A “key takeaway” from the gathering is the need for less of a fortress mentality and a move to more community and sustainable use interaction among stakeholders to positive outcomes for the snaring threat. No solution will be credible without relevant community voices involved in “co-development of solutions”.
“Solutions need to be diverse, purposely inclusive and tailored to, and by, people living in affected areas,” read a statement regarding the symposium’s outcomes.
Among decisions adopted are further research on the drivers and alternative livelihood solutions, more cohesive legislation to address snaring and other wildlife crimes, more centralised reporting and monitoring to ascertain the extent of the problem, as well as creating a greater understanding of the impact of snaring not only on biodiversity as well as on the economy and well-being of communities.
